Abstract: A final drive assembly for transferring power from a vehicle engine and transmission to a vehicle propulsion unit, such as an endless track assembly, has a power input shaft coupled to first and second planetary gear assemblies. The second planetary gear assembly is coupled to a torque tube portion of a sprocket support member for rotating a drive sprocket. The power input shaft, first and second planetary gear assemblies, and the torque tube portion are substantially co-axial, and the first and second planetary gears assemblies are positioned inwardly of the sprocket support member. By positioning the planetary assemblies inwardly of the sprocket support member, additional gears, hubs, splines, and shafts are eliminated and the planetary assemblies are less susceptible to damage. The planetary gear assemblies are substantially free-floating which eliminates the cost and complexity of additional bearing supports.

Abstract: A vehicle for manipulating large diameter pipe includes a vehicle frame assembly which supports an auxiliary pipelayer frame. The pipelayer frame supports various components for manipulating the pipe, including a boom arm and a fluid cylinder for raising and lowering the boom arm. During transportation of the vehicle, certain components must be removed from the vehicle to make the vehicle conform to width and height restrictions. Normally, the boom arm and the fluid cylinder would be removed. The subject invention provides for storage of the fluid cylinder on the vehicle during transportation, without the necessity to disconnect fluid lines. Considerable time and effort is saved during dis-assembly and re-assembly of the vehicle components.

Abstract: A guard assembly for protecting lower portions of an earthmoving vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, and drive train, includes a guard plate which is held captive within a first space defined by sidewalls and endwalls of the vehicle frame. The guard plate can move within predetermined limits in longitudinal and lateral directions within the first space. Prior art lower guard assemblies utilize threaded fasteners to secure the guards directly to the vehicle frame. This produces loosening and breakage of the threaded fasteners when the vehicle frame flexes and twists. The subject guard assembly allows the guard plate to move slightly as the vehicle frame flexes and twists. Since the threaded fasteners holding the guard plate in place do not penetrate the guard plate, the threaded fasteners are not overstressed or slipped at the joint interfaces.

Abstract: A self-supporting sound barrier for the operator's cover of a construction type vehicle is supported within the operator's cover at the perimeter of the sound barrier only and is self-supporting throughout the major surface area of the sound barrier. The sound barrier has strengthening and supporting materials, such as a grid structure or oriented fibers, throughout the main body of the sound barrier which lengthen during sagging of the sound barrier. As the grid sturcture lengthens, it contacts portions of the operator's cover and the sound barrier is restrained from further sagging. Prior art sound barries utilize an elaborate system of parts and assembly procedures to secure a sound barrier in place within an operator's cover. The subject self-supporting sound barrier is simple to manufacture and is easy to install and/or remove from an operator's cover.

Abstract: A suspension system for a non-powered belted vehicle includes a pair of wheel assemblies positioned on each side of the vehicle, a flexible endless belt encircling each pair of wheel assemblies, and an axle assembly extending transverse to the wheel assemblies. The wheel assemblies are connected to the axle assembly by a plurality of pivotal arms and each pair of wheel assemblies are interconnected by a fluid actuated cylinder. Belted vehicles which utilize smooth wheels to frictionally engage the belt for driving and stopping the belt, require considerable tension between the wheels and the belt. High belt tension is desirable for driving and stopping but unnecessarily high belt tension is undesirable due to overstressing of vehicle components. The subject suspension system utilizes a variable load applied to the vehicle to increase the belt tension for efficient vehicle operation.

Abstract: An assembly for stopping and retaining a floating piston within a closed cylinder includes a plurality of retaining ring segments which are seated within a groove provided in the internal wall of the cylinder. The retaining ring segments are held securely in place by a plurality of retaining plates which are clamped together by a plurality of threaded fasteners. The assembly is positioned deep within the cylinder at a specific location by a special tool. This tool also activates portions of the stop assembly to initially seat the retaining ring segments in the groove. A floating piston and associated seals are used in a combination oil and gas cylinder to separate the pressurized oil chamber from the compressed gas chamber. In order to maintain the piston in the cylinder while one chamber is evacuated and the other chamber remains pressurized, a piston stop and retainer assembly is required.

Abstract: A track roller assembly supports and guides a portion of the endless track of a track type vehicle as that portion of the track travels between a drive wheel and an idler wheel of the vehicle. The rim portions of the roller assembly include a plurality of alternating resilient non-metallic rings and metallic rings. The non-metallic rings are compressed between the metallic rings to increase the diameter of the outer walls of the rings. The link rails contact the non-metallic rings only. Conventional track supporting rollers have metallic treads which generate noise and impact against the metal link rails. The rollers often fail to rotate due to insufficient friction with the link rails. The subject roller assembly, with resilient rings in contact with the link rails, generates low levels of noise and vibration and produces sufficient friction to rotate the rollers.

Abstract: A track adjusting flow controlling mechanism sets the optimum tension or "controlled sag" in the endless track of a track type vehicle. A piston and associated valve assembly control flow of pressurized fluid to a track adjusting clyinder. Movement of the piston tensions the track with substantially no sag ("S") and subsequent retraction of the piston provides correct track tension with an optimum track sag ("S"). Supply of pressurized fluid to the piston and valve assembly is controlled by the vehicle operator from the operator's station. Conventional track adjusting operations require considerable time and effort and are often an undesirable task. In view of this, the adjusting task is often neglected with the resulting rapid wear of the track and related components. The subject track adjusting mechanism provides a quick and simple operation to provide proper track adjustment.

Abstract: A tensioning and recoil system establishes and maintains a substantially constant force on an idler wheel of an endless track assembly for a tracked vehicle. The force applied to the idler wheel tensions the endless track and maintains a predetermined frictional force between the track and a powered drive wheel. The system also provides a recoil function for the idler wheel during ingestion of foreign material between the track and the idler and drive wheels. The tensioning and recoil system includes a recoil tube which telescopes into a cylinder and a single sealed and closed chamber filled with a compressible gas. Conventional recoil systems for self-laying track-type vehicle utilize pre-compressed large diameter steel coil springs to resist recoiling during light loading of the idler wheel and to return the wheel to the normal position after recoiling during heavy loading.

Abstract: A drive sprocket assembly for driving an endless chain assembly for propelling a vehicle includes a housing, which is mountable to the power drive system of the vehicle, and a plurality of replaceable teeth structures which are secured to the housing. The housing includes a hub portion having a cushion band and spaced apart parallel flanges. Each tooth structure is in contact with the hub and is secured to the flanges by a plurality of retaining pins. Each tooth structure is resiliently isolated from the hub by the cushion band and from adjoining teeth structures by non-metallic pads. Conventional drive sprocket assemblies utilize a one-piece toothed sprocket, or sprocket segments having several teeth, bolted to a support member. These prior sprocket assemblies produce considerable noise from impacting of the sprocket teeth with an endless chain assembly.

Abstract: A suspension system for the idlers and guide wheels, and related structures, of a belted track-type vehicle provides cushioning for the vehicle and components as the vehicle traverses obstacles and uneven terrain. The suspension system also provides tensioning and recoil for the endless track belt during ingestion of foreign material between the belt and the idler wheel. The suspension system includes a plurality of hydropneumatic struts connected between the vehicle frame and various belt guiding and supporting components. Most endless track machines utilize auxiliary frame assembles on each side of the main vehicle frame to support track guiding rollers, idler wheels, suspension systems, and track recoil mechanisms. These auxiliary frame assembles are bulky, heavy, and complicated and generally limit the total amount of suspension and recoil afforded to the idler wheels and track guide wheels.

Abstract: A recoil and tensioning assembly for the track and idler of a self-laying track vehicle maintains a constant tensioning force on the endless track. The assembly provides recoiling of the idler wheel during shock loading of the idler wheel or during ingestion of foreign material between the track and the idler and drive wheels. The recoil and tensioning assembly includes a recoil member which telescopes into a cylinder and includes a first chamber filled with a compressible gas and a second chamber filled with a non-compressible oil. A floating piston separates the two chambers and serves to compress the gas during a recoil cycle. Conventional recoil systems for self-laying track-type vehicles utilize pre-compressed large diameter steel coil springs to resist recoiling during light loading of the idler wheel and to return the idler wheel to normal position after recoiling during heavy loading.

Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for a track-type vehicle has a hub member and a plurality of replaceable wear segments positioned around the circumference of the hub. A plurality of U-shaped grooves in the circumferential surface of the hub receive resilient means. The wear segments also fit within the grooves and hold the resilient means in place. A plurality of clamping members encircle the hub, overlap the wear segments, and clamp the resilient means between the wear segments and the grooves as they are secured to the hub. The wear segments are therefore resiliently isolated from the idler hub. Conventional idler wheels for track-type vehicles have exterior rims which contact the track and guide the track as the vehicle is operated. This contact between the wheel rims an the track produces objectionable noise and vibration. The subject idler wheel assembly generates low levels of noise and vibration by isolating the rims or wear segments from the wheel hub with resilient rings.

Abstract: A pivot assembly provides limited pivotal motion between a relatively stationary member and a relatively moveable member which is supported on the stationary member. The stationary member is secured to a vehicle frame and the moveable member forms a portion of an endless track supporting frame. The pivot assembly includes a plurality of elastomeric bearings between the stationary and moveable members and a loading member to compress and preload the bearings. Conventional pivot assemblies utilize metal sleeve, roller or ball bearings to provide relative pivotal motion between stationary and cooperative moveable members. Such metal bearings require constant lubrication, and seals to contain the lubrication, and produce objectionable noise and vibration. The subject pivot assembly requires no lubrication or seals and generates low levels of noise and vibration by isolating the stationary and moveable members with the elastomeric bearings.

Abstract: A drive sprocket assembly for driving an endless chain assembly for propelling a vehicle includes a support hub which is mountable to the power output portion of the vehicle and a plurality of replaceable teeth which are mountable to the hub. Each tooth is resiliently isolated from the support hub, and resilient to the chain assembly, by non-metallic materials to reduce noise generated by the sprocket teeth striking the endless chain assembly. Conventional drive sprocket assemblies use a one piece toothed sprocket, or segments having several teeth, bolted to a support member. These prior sprocket assemblies generate considerable noise from impacting of the sprocket teeth with an endless chain. The subject sprocket assembly produces low levels of noise by utilizing individual replaceable teeth which are isolation mounted to the sprocket support hub.

Abstract: A removable cap assembly for closing the open end of a fill spout of a fuel tank includes a built-in valve apparatus for venting the interior of the tank to the atmosphere. The valve apparatus further seals the liquid within the tank during certain operational conditions which could cause leakage of the liquid from the tank. Previous tank caps for closing the fill spout of liquid fuel tanks used various valve means to vent the tank, or to maintain a certain positive pressure within the tank. However, most previous liquid tank valve means were complex and would not prevent leakage of liquid from within the tank if the tank should be tipped drastically or upset. The vented fuel cap assembly of the present invention is of simple construction and will prevent leakage of fuel from the tank should the tank be tipped or inverted.

Abstract: A vented fuel system for a vehicle includes a plurality of fuel storage tanks and a fuel sump tank with at least one fuel storage tank positioned on each side of the vehicle. The sump tank is positioned on the vehicle between the fuel storage tanks and at a lower elevation than the fuel storage tanks. Each of the fuel storage tanks is connected by a fuel line to the sump tank and all of the fuel storage tanks are interconnected by air transfer lines. One of the fuel storage tanks on each side of the vehicle is provided with a filler spout and a vented fuel cap assembly for closing the filler spout. All of the fuel tanks can be filled from either side of the vehicle, and during refueling, air is expelled from the closed vented fuel cap assemblies and the open filler spout. The plurality of air transfer lines prevent air entrapment in any of the tanks by transferring air between the tanks and subsequent venting of the air through either or both vented fuel cap assemblies.

Abstract: A retainer assembly retains a pair of connecting pins in place within a drawbar arrangement. The connecting pins connect various draft implements to the drawbar and hold the drawbar in a preselected angular position. The retainer assembly provides easy connection of the pins to, or removal from, the drawbar while maintaining the pins in a secured working position. The retainer assembly includes a retainer plate which is spring loaded and is easily manipulated from a first position in which the pins are covered and constrained, and a second position in which the pins are vertically unconstrained. Previous pin retainers for drawbar arrangements used various means to lock or retain a pin in a coupled position, including keys, detents, screw threads, etc. Such previous pin retainers were cumbersome and generally required considerable time and effort to unlock and remove the pin. A worker generally needed to use two hands to couple or release the locking pins.

Abstract: A track assembly for a track-type vehicle has a plurality of first and second distinct individual track shoes joined together to form an endless loop. The first shoes have a projecting grouser bar which has a first plurality of teeth and the second shoes have a projecting grouser bar which has a second plurality of teeth. The first and second shoes are arranged in an alternating pattern with the teeth of the first shoes staggered relative to the teeth of the seocnd shoes. Conventional grousered track shoes generally provide track-type vehicles with sufficient surface traction for most work tasks of the vehicle. However, in some special work applications, the conventional grouser track shoes is inadequate to provide the required penetration to achieve sufficient tractive force. For such special work applications, the subject toothed grouser track shoes penetrate the surface and provide the necessary traction to effectively perform the work function.